Iraq

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) financial assistance, (b) technical assistance and (c) personnel his Department is contributing to the clearing of mines in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group provides mentoring for the Iraqi Army 70 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Company. 70 EOD Company, when it reaches Full Operational Capability, will have the ability to conduct large scale mine clearing operations.
	UK Royal Engineers based in Southern Iraq clear mines when necessary for operational purposes. The UK plays a much greater role in dealing with the large scale problem of abandoned unexploded ordnance in southern Iraq. To date more than 880,000 items of unexploded ordnance have been recovered or destroyed by UK forces in MND(SE).

Iraq

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many medals have been awarded to soldiers who have served or are serving in Iraq, broken down by medal designation.

Don Touhig: As at 26 August 2005, the following medals had been issued to military personnel who have served or are serving in Iraq.
	
		
			 Award Number awarded/issued 
		
		
			 Iraq Medal (5508100001)72,000 
			 Victoria Cross 1 
			 George Cross 1 
			 Distinguished Service Order 12 
			 Conspicuous Gallantry Cross 8 
			 Distinguished Service Cross 1 
			 Military Cross 45 
			 Distinguished Flying Cross 11 
			 Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross 2 
			 Air Force Cross 2 
			 Queens Gallantry Medal 14 
			 George Medal 1 
		
	
	(5508100001) This figure is based on the statistics for the total applications assessed, minus 2–3 per cent. which is the estimated percentage for those applications rejected as not meeting the eligibility criteria.

Regiments

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which regiments are based in each region.

Don Touhig: I have assumed that my hon. Friend is referring to the locations of the Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) of major Regular Army Units, which can be found in the following tables. Major units are defined as those regional and deployable units with over 320 personnel and do not include Regular Army training establishments.
	
		Royal Armoured Corps
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location 
		
		
			 Household Cavalry (The Life Guards) South East 
			 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards Wales 
			 The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards  (Carabiniers and Greys) Scotland 
			 The Royal Dragoon Guards Yorkshire and the Humber 
			 The Queen's Royal Hussars  (The Queens Own and Royal Irish) London 
			 9th/12th Lancers (Prince of Wales's) East Midlands 
			 The Kings Royal Hussars North West 
			 The Light Dragoons North East 
			 The Queen's Royal Lancers East Midlands 
			 The 2nd Royal Tank Regiment South West 
		
	
	
		Infantry
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location 
		
		
			 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards London 
			 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards London 
			 1st Battalion The Scots Guards London 
			 1st Battalion The Irish Guards London 
			 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards London 
			 1 Battalion The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) Scotland 
			 1 Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment) Scotland 
			 1st Battalion The Kings Own Scottish Borderers North East 
			 1st Battalion The Black Watch (The Highland Regiment) Scotland 
			 1st Battalion The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) Scotland 
			 1st Battalion The Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) Scotland 
			 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) South East 
			 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) South East 
			 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers London 
			 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers London 
			 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment East of England 
			 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment East of England 
			 1st Battalion The Kings Own Royal Border Regiment North West 
			 1st Battalion The Kings Regiment North West 
			 1st Battalion The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire Yorkshire and the Humber 
			 1st Battalion The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment) Yorkshire and the Humber 
			 1st Battalion The Queens Lancashire Regiment North West 
			 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) Yorkshire and the Humber 
			 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment Northern Ireland 
			 1st Battalion The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment South West 
			 1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment North West 
			 1st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers Wales 
			 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/4 1st Foot) Wales 
			 1st Battalion The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment South West 
			 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot) West Midlands 
			 1st Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's) West Midlands 
			 1st Battalion The Light Infantry South East 
			 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry South East 
			 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets South East 
			 2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets South East 
			 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment East of England 
			 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment East of England 
			 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment East of England 
			 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles South West 
			 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles South West 
		
	
	
		Royal Regiment of Artillery
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location 
		
		
			 1 Regiment Royal Horse Artillery  
			 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery  
			 4th Regiment Royal Artillery  
			 5th Regiment Royal Artillery  
			 7th (Parachute) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery  
			 12th Regiment Royal Artillery  
			 16th Regiment Royal Artillery London 
			 19th Regiment Royal Artillery  
			 26th Regiment Royal Artillery  
			 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery  
			 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery  
			 39th Regiment Royal Artillery  
			 40th Regiment Royal Artillery  
			 47th Regiment Royal Artillery  
		
	
	
		Royal Engineers
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location 
		
		
			 21 Engineer Regiment  
			 22 Engineer Regiment  
			 23 Engineer Regiment  
			 25 Engineer Regiment  
			 26 Engineer Regiment  
			 28 Engineer Regiment  
			 32 Engineer Regiment South East 
			 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)  
			 35 Engineer Regiment  
			 36 Engineer Regiment  
			 38 Engineer Regiment  
			 39 Engineer Regiment  
			 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic)  
			 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group  
		
	
	
		Army Air Corps
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location 
		
		
			 1 Regiment Army Air Corps  
			 3 Regiment Army Air Corps  
			 4 Regiment Army Air Corps South East 
			 5 Regiment Army Air Corps  
			 9 Regiment Army Air Corps  
		
	
	
		Royal Logistics Corps
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location 
		
		
			 1 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistics Corps  
			 2 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistics Corps  
			 3 Close Support Regiment Royal Logistics Corps  
			 4 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistics Corps  
			 6 Supply Regiment Royal Logistics Corps  
			 7 Transport Regiment Royal Logistics Corps  
			 8 Transport Regiment Royal Logistics Corps  
			 9 Supply Regiment Royal Logistics Corps  
			 10 Transport Regiment Royal Logistics Corps South East 
			 11 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Regiment  Royal Logistics Corps 1/2 1/2 
			 13 Air Assault Regiment Royal Logistics Corps 1/2 
			 17 Port & Maritime Regiment Royal Logistics Corps 1/2 
			 23 Pioneer Regiment Royal Logistics Corps 1/2 
			 24 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps 1/2 
			 27 Transport Regiment Royal Logistics Corps 1/2 
			 29 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps  
		
	
	
		Royal Military Police
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location 
		
		
			 1 Regiment Royal Military Police  
			 3 Regiment Royal Military Police South East 
			 4 Regiment Royal Military Police  
			 5 Regiment Royal Military Police  
		
	
	
		Royal Signals
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location 
		
		
			 1 (UK) Armoured Division Signal Regiment  
			 2 Signal Regiment  
			 3 (UK) Division Signal Regiment  
			 7 Signal Regiment South West 
			 10 Signal Regiment  
			 14 Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare)  
			 16 Signal Regiment  
			 21 Signal Regiment (Air Support)  
		
	
	
		Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location 
		
		
			 1st Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers  
			 2nd Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers  
			 3rd Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers  
			 4th Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers South East 
			 5th Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers  
			 6th Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers  
			 7th Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers  
		
	
	
		Army Medical Services
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location for Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), Queen Alexandra's Royal Auxiliary Nursing Corps (QUARANC), Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) 
		
		
			 1 Close Support Medical Regiment  
			 3 Close Support Medical Regiment  
			 4 General Support Medical Regiment 
			 5 General Support Medical Regiment South East 
			 16 Close Support Medical Regiment  
			 22 Field Hospital  
			 33 Field Hospital  
			 34 Field Hospital  
		
	
	
		Intelligence Corps
		
			 Regiment/Corp RHQ Location 
		
		
			 1 Military Intelligence Battalion  
			 2 Military Intelligence Battalion East of England 
			 4 Military Intelligence Battalion

Apprenticeships

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total spending by the Learning and Skills Council was on the promotion of apprenticeships in each of the last 10 years.

Phil Hope: The Learning and Skills Council has been responsible for promoting apprenticeships since it came into existence in April 2001. The Council's Chief Executive Mr. Mark Haysom will write to the hon. Member with the information he requires and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House. Before April 2001 promotion of apprenticeships was the responsibility of the Department and the Training and Enterprise Councils. It is not possible to estimate the total amount spent on promotional activities in this period.

Dentistry

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many learning and skills councils have rationalised the number of training providers for the training of dental nurses; how many no longer include practising dentists as training providers; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: My Department and the Learning and Skills Council are working together to ensure that colleges and providers deliver high quality provision which meets the needs of learners and employers. The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for the planning and funding of post-16 learning outside Higher Education. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested for the training of dental nurses. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Education Maintenance Allowance

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost of educational maintenance allowances has been in each year since their introduction.

Beverley Hughes: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Work Experience

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many 14 to 16-year-olds undertook work experience in (a) the public sector, (b) a small or medium sized enterprise, (c) a large enterprise and (d) a trade union in each year between 2000 and 2004.

Jacqui Smith: There is a 95 per cent. take up of work experience among Key Stage 4 pupils. However, the breakdown of numbers participating is the responsibility of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Mark Haysom, Chief Executive of the LSC, will write to my hon. Friend, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2005, Official Report, column 298W, on council tax, whether he has a personal council tax liability on his official residences at (a) Admiralty House and (b) Dorneywood.

Jim Fitzpatrick: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister does not have a personal council tax liability on his official residence at Admiralty House. In line with established Cabinet Office policy on official residences, council tax liability in respect of my right hon. Friend's residence at Admiralty House is paid by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
	In relation to Dorneywood I refer the hon. Member for Meriden to the answer given on the 5 July 2005, Official Report, column 298W.

Disciplinary Matters

Vera Baird: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if she will place in the Library the reports provided by the Coroner of Teesside to the Lord Chancellor on his performance since his severe reprimand.

Harriet Harman: The reports referred to by my hon. Friend have been provided by the Coroner for Teesside to the Lord Chancellor on a confidential basis as part of an ongoing disciplinary matter, and it is not appropriate for them to be made available in the way requested. The annual coronial statistics for 2004 will shortly be published. I will send a copy to my hon. Friend as soon as they are available.

Judges (Sexual Offences Training)

Vera Baird: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what steps are taken to ensure that in any rape appeal there will be at least one judge who has been on the serious sexual offences seminar.

Harriet Harman: Judicial training is the responsibility of the Lord Chief Justice and is exercised through the Judicial Studies Board (JSB).
	Judges of every rank who sit in crime, including the Court of Appeal, have received training on the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as part of a programme of training on the Criminal Justice Reforms that ran between January and March 2005. This was supplemented with written material provided at the time the Act came into force.
	The serious sexual offences seminar is specifically designed for judges who hear rape trials. For details of the serious sexual offences seminar I refer the hon. and learned Member for Redcar to the answer I gave on 30 June 2005, Official Report, column 1745W.

Parliamentary Questions

David Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 11 July 2005, Official Report, column 826W, what estimate she has made of the cost of answering the question.

Bridget Prentice: The costs of answering the question would have been over the disproportionate costs threshold of £600.00.

Housing Benefit

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average processing times for housing benefit claims are in each (a) London borough, (b) local housing authority in the north east and (c) Pathfinder area, broken down by tenure sector.

Stephen Timms: pursuant to the reply, 11 July 2005, Official Report, c. 679W
	The information is in the tables.
	
		Average housing benefit clearance times (calendar days) in London boroughs; fourth quarter 2004–05
		
			 Authority All housing benefit Rent rebate Rent allowance 
		
		
			 Barking 70.02 63.1 82.17 
			 Barnet 35.47 31.24 37.01 
			 Bexley 44.71 34.76 46.14 
			 Brent 37.35 32.24 38.93 
			 Bromley 29.62 (5508100002)— 29.62 
			 Camden 34.79 30.69 37.99 
			 City of London 25.51 23.7 28.64 
			 Croydon 32.85 17.52 43.52 
			 Ealing 61.2 59.91 61.86 
			 Enfield 39.08 32.91 41.83 
			 Greenwich 35.22 31.29 39.39 
			 Hackney 78.53 70.52 84.71 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham (5508100002)— (5508100002)— (5508100002)— 
			 Haringey 50.34 38.07 57.31 
			 Harrow 27.3 22.11 28.83 
			 Havering 32.55 29.54 35.64 
			 Hillingdon 52.37 44.46 56.31 
			 Hounslow 40.74 33.53 45.83 
			 Islington 49.37 54.29 43.88 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 30.01 30.01 30.01 
			 Kingston upon Thames 61.16 63.46 59.65 
			 Lambeth 47.11 42.75 51.27 
			 Lewisham 32.37 31.21 33.22 
			 Merton 52.38 46.74 54.6 
			 Newham 47.24 47.43 47.17 
			 Redbridge 36.16 29.39 38.73 
			 Richmond upon Thames 49.72 39.85 50.88 
			 Southwark 39.13 39.13 39.13 
			 Sutton 42.07 30.51 47.52 
			 Tower Hamlets 61.63 62 61.35 
			 Waltham Forest 36.2 31.17 37.71 
			 Wandsworth 52.25 44.43 56.66 
			 Westminster (5508100002)— (5508100002)— (5508100002)— 
		
	
	(5508100002) Means not provided by the local authority. In the case of rent rebate figures only not being available, this may be because the local authority has no rent rebate cases.
	
		Average housing benefit clearance times (calendar days) in local authorities in the north-east GOR; fourth quarter 2004–05
		
			 Authority All housing benefit Rent rebate Rent allowance 
		
		
			 Alnwick 35.93 25.24 44.07 
			 Berwick upon Tweed 31.82 23.16 39.81 
			 Blyth Valley 24 22.51 25.88 
			 Castle Morpeth 23.68 19.52 26.94 
			 Chester le Street 29.27 25.74 34.21 
			 Darlington 31.88 25.41 34.81 
			 Derwentside 28.39 25.66 30.83 
			 Durham 29.17 25.13 34.66 
			 Easington 36.01 35.86 36.16 
			 Gateshead 66.8 66.8 66.8 
			 Hartlepool 28.96 18.25 29.07 
			 Middlesbrough 36.6 83.73 35.18 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 65.24 75.5 52.43 
			 North Tyneside 47.83 47.85 47.8 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 39.05 32.58 39.28 
			 Sedgefield 31.91 29.34 35.96 
			 South Tyneside 42.64 42.23 43.41 
			 Stockton on Tees 39.4 34.3 44.81 
			 Sunderland (5508100003)— (5508100003)— (5508100003)— 
			 Teesdale 46.94 52.45 44.43 
			 Tynedale 21.28 (5508100003)— 21.28 
			 Wansbeck 42.36 40.33 44.94 
			 Wear Valley 21.41 17.87 24.26 
		
	
	(5508100003) Means not provided by the local authority. In the case of rent rebate figures only not being available, this may be because the local authority has no rent rebate cases.
	
		Average housing benefit clearance times (calendar days) in first wave local housing allowance pathfinder local authorities; fourth quarter 2004–05
		
			 Authority All housing benefit Rent rebate Rent allowance 
		
		
			 Blackpool 18.48 13.18 19.45 
			 Brighton and Hove 31.84 28.24 33.41 
			 Edinburgh 43.79 33.32 55.14 
			 Conwy 32.01 29.88 32.68 
			 Coventry 53.61 (5508100004)— 53.61 
			 Leeds 64.2 63.2 65.28 
			 Lewisham 32.37 31.21 33.22 
			 North East Lincoln 36 35.35 36.24 
			 Teignbridge 30.39 21.54 30.61 
		
	
	(5508100004) Means not provided by the local authority. In the case of rent rebate figures only not being available, this may be because the local authority has no rent rebate cases.
	
		Average housing benefit clearance times (calendar days) in second wave local housing allowance local authorities; fourth quarter 2004–05
		
			 Authority All housing benefit Rent rebate Rent allowance 
		
		
			 Argyll and Bute 35.51 30.87 39.31 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 29.46 22.1 33.78 
			 Guildford 21.01 23.26 19.83 
			 Norwich 17.71 15.78 19.83 
			 Pembrokeshire 43.08 36.96 47.94 
			 Salford (5508100005)— (5508100005)— (5508100005)— 
			 South Norfolk 31.2 15.45 32.62 
			 St. Helens 34.21 (5508100005)— 34.21 
			 Wandsworth 52.25 44.43 56.66 
		
	
	(5508100005) Means not provided by the local authority. In the case of rent rebate figures only not being available, this may be because the local authority has no rent rebate cases.
	Notes:
	1. Rent rebates are made on local authority properties.
	2. Rent allowance is paid on all private rented accommodation, including registered social landlords.
	3. Lewisham and Wandsworth both appear twice; they are London boroughs and local housing allowance pathfinders.
	4. The second wave of local housing allowance local authorities went live between April and July 2005.
	Source:
	Local authority reported data.

Industrial Injuries (Hearing Loss)

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many claims for industrial injuries disablement benefit have been made on the basis of hearing loss in each year since 1995; and how many were successful;
	(2)  what percentage of (a) claims for industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB) and (b) IIDB claims awarded were for hearing loss in each year since 1995.

Margaret Hodge: The available information is in the tables.
	
		Claims to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit(5508100006)
		
			  All prescribed diseases Occupational deafness 
			  Number Number Percentage of total claims 
		
		
			 1995 (5508100008)21,900 (5508100008)4.900 22.1 
			 1996 44,200 6,800 15.3 
			 1997 60,600 5,800 9.6 
			 1998 45,600 4,300 9.4 
			 1999 41,300 4,100 9.9 
			 2000 48,700 4,300 8.8 
			 2001 39,000 3,900 10.0 
			 2002 41,050 3,430 8.4 
			 2003 37,435 3,200 8.5 
			 2004 (5508100009)28,255 (5508100009)2,705 9.6 
		
	
	
		Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit assessments where the level of disablement was above the threshold for receiving Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit(5508100007)
		
			  All prescribed diseases(5508100012) Occupational deafness(5508100013) 
			  Number Number Percentage of total assessments 
		
		
			 1995 (5508100008)2,835 (5508100008)585 20.6 
			 1996 3,770 530 14.1 
			 1997 5,950 415 7.0 
			 1998 6,255 260 4.2 
			 1999 4,265 315 7.4 
			 2000 3,205 225 7.0 
			 2001 3,410 265 7.8 
			 2002 4,470 265 5.9 
			 2003 4,790 335 7.0 
			 2004 (5508100009)5,035 325 6.5 
		
	
	(5508100006) Claims are based on a 10 per cent. sample up to 31 March 2002 and on a 100 per cent. count thereafter.
	(5508100007) Assessments are based on 100 per cent. count and rounded to the nearest 5 to ensure anonymity.
	(5508100008) Figures are for 9 months only.
	(5508100009) Figures for 2004 are provisional.
	(5508100010) The number of assessments may not relate to claims during the same period.
	(5508100011) Figures relate to Industrial Disease as data on assessments for accidents was not collected prior to April 2002.
	(5508100012) The figures for assessments for all prescribed diseases do not include cases where the level of disablement is below the threshold for receiving Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
	(5508100013) The figures for assessments for occupational deafness show all cases where there is a level of disablement assessed as, due to the nature of the scheme, all assessments for occupational deafness have to be at least 20 per cent. and therefore above the threshold for receiving Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate.

Jobcentre Plus Vacancies

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) inflows and (b) outflows of Jobcentre Plus vacancies were in each quarter since June 2004 in each area of the north-east region.

Stephen Timms: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 13 September 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what the inflows and outflows of Jobcentre Plus vacancies were in each area of the North East region in each quarter since June 2004. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		Inflows and outflows of Jobcentre Plus vacancies in the north-east region
		
			  City of Sunderland Durham County Gateshead and South Tyneside Northumbria Tees Valley 
		
		
			 June 2004  
			 Vacancies notified(5508100018) 2,562 4,006 2,967 6,667 5,198 
			 Jobs notified(5508100019) 5,556 8,345 6,984 12,978 10,290 
			 Total jobs filled(5508100020) 1,698 2,695 2,092 3,678 2,831 
			   
			 September 2004  
			 Vacancies notified(5508100018) 2,689 4,424 3,477 7,539 5,878 
			 Jobs notified(5508100019) 6,904 8,818 9,427 15,096 12,268 
			 Jobs filled(5508100020) 1,728 2,673 2,266 3,980 3,259 
			   
			 December 2004  
			 Vacancies notified(5508100018) 1,754 3,103 2,039 5,132 4,194 
			 Jobs notified(5508100019) 3,988 6,602 5,251 11,354 9,247 
			 Jobs filled(5508100020) 1,881 2,527 3,368 3,953 3,654 
			 March 2005  
			 Vacancies notified(5508100018) 1,921 3,602 2,419 6,080 4,729 
			 Jobs notified(5508100019) 4,361 7,053 5,005 12,415 8,864 
			 Jobs filled(5508100020) 1,379 2,313 1,938 3,468 1,519 
			   
			 June 2005  
			 Vacancies notified(5508100018) 1,789 3,133 2,210 5,751 4,569 
			 Jobs notified(5508100019) 3,922 6,041 4,543 11,477 8,439 
			 Jobs filled(5508100020) 1,142 1,905 1,560 2,768 1,267 
		
	
	(5508100018) Represents in-flow of vacancies.
	(5508100019) Represents total number of jobs notified.
	(5508100020) Represents out-flow of vacancies.
	Note:
	The disparity between the number of jobs notified and the number filled results from: employers filling jobs through other sources; employers withdrawing vacancies; insufficient evidence to demonstrate that a vacancy has been filled by a Jobcentre Plus applicant.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System
	We are committed to enhancing and improving our vacancy services, and have created an e-services portfolio for employers. This enables them to advertise and manage their own vacancies, and has resulted in an increasing number of our customers applying directly to employers. These vacancies appear on our Labour Market System and are included in the figures above.
	We are also developing improved partnerships with private recruitment agencies to increase the range and number of job opportunities available to our customers. This has resulted in the introduction of a 'Jobs Warehouse' which is accessible through internet services. These vacancies do not appear on the Labour Market System and consequently are not included in the figures above.
	I hope this is helpful.

Food (EU Border Security)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with farm Ministers from other EU countries on ensuring that EU borders are secure with regard to the importation into the EU of food products; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has regular opportunities to talk to her EU colleagues about a wide range of issues during the meetings of the Agriculture Council.
	A comprehensive import regime exists in European Community law to ensure that food of animal origin does not pose a health risk. Products such as meat, eggs and dairy products must come from approved establishments in approved countries and must be accompanied by official health certificates. Products may only be imported into the EU via approved Border Inspection Posts where veterinary checks are carried out to make sure they comply with the import conditions set out in law.
	Imported food, including food not of animal origin, must meet food safety and food standards requirements equivalent to those for UK-produced food, and can be subject to checks on the basis of risk assessment by local food authorities at UK ports and inland to ensure they comply.
	Emergency safeguard measures to further restrict or control imports may be taken where there is an outbreak of disease in an exporting country, or other circumstances likely to present a serious public or animal health risk.
	The importation of products of meat and dairy products by individual travellers in their personal luggage is judged to be a potential route by which animal disease could be introduced into the European Union. Following pressure by the Government, new, tighter EU rules were introduced in 2003 effectively banning personal imports of meat and dairy products (including bushmeat). The Government have increased the level of resource available to combat the illegal importation of such products.

Freedom of Information Act

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Freedom of Information Act 2000 requests have been answered by the Department; and in how many cases (a) information was wholly exempted, (b) information was partly exempted and (c) the requests were answered in full.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Constitutional Affairs (Ms Harman) on 12 September 2005, Official Report, column 2248W.

Choose and Book System

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many GP referrals have been made using the choose and book system; what the total cost of the system is to date; what the total estimated final cost of the system is; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many e-bookings were made for GP referrals to hospital in each month since the first month when e-booking was introduced.

Liam Byrne: The number of general practitioner referrals made using the choose and book system each month since the system went live, on schedule, in July 2004 is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Month Number of bookings per month Total bookings (cumulative) 
		
		
			 July 2004 6 6 
			 August 2004 1 7 
			 September 2004 2 9 
			 October 2004 7 16 
			 November 2004 23 39 
			 December 2004 32 71 
			 January 2005 40 111 
			 February 2005 60 181 
			 March 2005 158 339 
			 April 2005 313 652 
			 May 2005 375 1,027 
			 June 2005 409 1,436 
			 July 2005(5508100021) 440 1,876 
		
	
	(5508100021) As of close of business 20 July.
	Use of the system to date has largely been confined to a small number of 'early adopter' health communities. The national health service is now beginning to implement the service more widely, taking into account the experience gained in the early adopters. Feedback from early adopters and patients about the service is positive, and the number of patients able to book their hospital appointments electronically is increasing rapidly.
	The cost to date of developing and beginning to implement the system is £28.7 million. The total committed contract cost is £65 million.

Dentistry

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists were practising in (a) South East Cambridgeshire constituency and (b) England per head of population in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table. These figures cover dentists working in primary care dental services, but not hospital or community dental services.
	
		Number of national health service dentists and rate per 10,000 population in the specified areas as at 31 March each year
		
			  England South East Cambridgeshire constituency South Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) 
		
		
			 Number of dentists 
			 2005 20,088 37 30 
			 2004 19,294 34 27 
			 2003 18,962 31 25 
			 2002 18,724 27 27 
			 2001 18,373 26 26 
			 2000 18,003 25 26 
			 1999 17,471 25 29 
			 1998 16,925 20 21 
			 1997 16,462 20 22 
			 
			 Ratio of dentists per 10,000 population 
			 2005 4.0 — 2.2 
			 2004 3.9 — 2.0 
			 2003 3.8 — 1.9 
			 2002 3.8 — 2.0 
			 2001 3.7 — 2.0 
			 2000 3.7 — 2.0 
			 1999 3.6 — 2.2 
			 1998 3.5 — 1.6 
			 1997 3.4 — 1.7 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Population data are not available at parliamentary constituency area.
	2. The figures are based on the numbers of dentists with open general dental services (GDS) or personal dental services (PDS) contracts as at 31 March each year.
	3. Dentists include principals, assistants and trainees.
	4. Prison contracts have been excluded.
	5. Dentists are counted within specified areas based on the postcode of their dental practice. Areas have been defined using the Office for National Statistics all fields postcode directory—November 2004.
	6. Population data for the PCT in 1997–2000 have been calculated on 2001 population data as population data at PCT area are not available for these years. All data for 2004 and 2005 have been calculated on 2003 population data as these are the most up to date available.
	7. The figures take into account any notifications received up to 5 July 2005.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

Digestive Conditions

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to raise awareness among (a) health professionals and (b) the public of the symptoms of digestive conditions and diseases.

Liam Byrne: Addressing the training needs of health professionals working is the responsibility of the appropriate regulatory bodies. They set standards for the pre-registration training of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, approve the education institutions that provide the training and determine the curricula.
	Post-registration training needs for national health service staff are decided against local NHS priorities, through appraisal processes and training needs analyses informed by local delivery plans and the needs of the service. Local authorities and health service providers decide how best to provide services to meet the needs of the individuals.
	The NHS Plan promotes and supports self care as one of the five key service elements of a patient-centred NHS—preventive care, self care, primary care, hospital care and intermediate care. This is about promoting the involvement of patients and the public in their own treatment and care by providing appropriate facilities, for example, through information, education, training, equipment and peer support and by partnership with health and social care professionals where necessary. Patients have access to NHS Direct and NHS Direct Online, which includes a health encyclopaedia and frequently asked questions on issues such as digestive conditions.

Engagements

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the (a) individuals other than Government officials and (b) organisations with which she has held meetings since 7 May; and on what date each meeting took place.

Jane Kennedy: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, and the Department's Ministers meet many individuals and organisations and attend many functions relating to Government business and as part of the process of policy development.

General Practitioners

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there were in (a) South East Cambridgeshire constituency and (b) England per head of population in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not available on a South East Cambridgeshire constituency basis. Information in respect of England and Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) from 1997–2004 and the Cambridgeshire primary care trusts (PCTs) from 2001 to 2004 is shown in the table. 
	
		General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100022) per 100,000 population for specified organisations1997–December 2004 -- Number (headcount)
		
			   1997 1998 
			   General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100022) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100022) per 100,000 population General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100022) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100022) per 100,000 population 
		
		
			 England  28,046 58 28,251 58 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA 1,263 59 1,276 59 
			 5JH Cambridge City PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 5JK East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 5GF Huntingdonshire PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 5AF North Peterborough PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 5JJ South Cambridgeshire PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 5AG South Peterborough PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	
		
			   1999 2000 
			   General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100023) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100023) per 100,000 population General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100023) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100023) per 100,000 population 
		
		
			 England  28,467 58 28,593 58 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA 1,283 59 1,293 59 
			 5JH Cambridge City PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 5JK East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 5GF Huntingdonshire PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 5AF North Peterborough PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 5JJ South Cambridgeshire PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 5AG South Peterborough PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	
		
			   2001 2002 
			   General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100024) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100024) per 100,000 population General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100024) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100024) per 100,000 population 
		
		
			 England  28,802 58 29,202 59 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA 1,302 60 1,316 60 
			 5JH Cambridge City PCT 85 77 86 77 
			 5JK East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT 82 59 78 56 
			 5GF Huntingdonshire PCT 85 59 89 62 
			 5AF North Peterborough PCT 55 56 57 59 
			 5JJ South Cambridgeshire PCT 60 46 63 48 
			 5AG South Peterborough PCT 53 51 52 50 
		
	
	
		
			   2003 2004 
			   General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100025) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100025) per 100,000 population General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100025) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100025) per 100,000 population 
		
		
			 England  30,358 61 31,523 63 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA 1,396 63 1,472 66 
			 5JH Cambridge City PCT 92 80 99 86 
			 5JK East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT 81 56 85 59 
			 5GF Huntingdonshire PCT 95 65 103 71 
			 5AF North Peterborough PCT 60 62 61 63 
			 5JJ South Cambridgeshire PCT 75 56 66 49 
			 5AG South Peterborough PCT 56 53 61 58 
		
	
	
		
			   December 2004 
			   General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100026) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100026) per 100,000 population 
		
		
			 England  31,798 64 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA 1,475 66 
			 5JH Cambridge City PCT 100 87 
			 5JK East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT 86 59 
			 5GF Huntingdonshire PCT 100 69 
			 5AF North Peterborough PCT 61 63 
			 5JJ South Cambridgeshire PCT 71 53 
			 5AG South Peterborough PCT 61 58 
		
	
	n/a—denotes data not available.
	(5508100022) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted GPs, GMS others and PMS others. Prior to September 2004 this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (para. 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.
	(5508100023) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted GPs, GMS others and PMS others. Prior to September 2004 this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (para. 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.
	(5508100024) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted GPs, GMS others and PMS others. Prior to September 2004 this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (para. 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.
	(5508100025) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted GPs, GMS others and PMS others. Prior to September 2004 this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (para. 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.
	(5508100026) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted GPs, GMS others and PMS others. Prior to September 2004 this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (para. 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.
	Note:
	Data as at 1 October 1997–99, 30 September 2000–04 and 31 December 2004.
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.
	2001 ONS Population Census.

General Practitioners

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the ratio of practising NHS general practitioners to population was in (a) Wellingborough constituency, (b) Northamptonshire and (c) England in the last year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not available on a Wellingborough constituency basis. Information in respect of England and Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland strategic health authority (SHA) and the Northampton primary care trusts (PCTs) as at December 2004 is shown in the table.
	
		General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100027) per 100,000 population(5508100028) for specified organisations,as at 31 December 2004 -- Number (headcount)
		
			   General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100027) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(5508100027) per 100,000 population(5508100028) 
		
		
			  England 31,798 64 
			 SHA Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA 894 57 
			 
			 PCTs
			 5AC Daventry and South Northamptonshire 60 57 
			 5LW Northampton 126 60 
			 5LV Northamptonshire Heartlands 150 54 
		
	
	Notes:
	(5508100027) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted GPs, general medical service (CMS) others and personal medical service (PMS) others.
	(5508100028) Population data as at 2003.
	Sources:
	1. National Health Service Health and Social Care Information Centre CMS and PMS statistics.
	2. 2001 ONS population census.

Hospital Mortality Rates

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the mortality rates in patients in hospitals admitted (a) at the weekend and (b) at other times of the week.

Liam Byrne: No specific assessment has been made. However, data shows that deaths as a percentage of all discharges increase from around two per cent, on weekdays to around 3.5 per cent. on weekends. This may well be because at weekends there are significantly fewer elective admissions, which proportionately account for a lower number of deaths than emergency admissions.

Ministerial Meetings

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many meetings she has had with groups representing (a) patients and consumers and (b) health professionals since 5 May; and how many are planned for the next three months.

Jane Kennedy: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, and the Department's Ministers meet many individuals and organisations and attend many functions relating to Government business and as part of the process of policy development.

NHS (IT System Compatibility)

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that IT systems in the NHS in England holding information on Welsh patients are compatible with IT systems being developed for the NHS in Wales.

Liam Byrne: The definition of information technology standards and systems for the national health service in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly. However, we recognise the importance of close cooperation and liaison between the four home countries to ensure alignment of their respective strategies and eventual interoperability of systems. This is achieved through dialogue at working level between officials from both Administrations. Standards for NHS IT systems in England are mandated by the NHS Information Standards Board, on which NHS Wales, along with the other home countries, is represented.

Parliamentary Questions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to Question reference 9440 tabled by the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow).

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him today.

Wales White Paper

Peter Law: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he intends to implement Paragraph 3.12 of the White Paper, "Better governance for Wales" Cm 6582, in respect of any Bill he introduces in the current session of Parliament.

Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department intends to implement the Government's policy as stated in paragraph 3.12 of the White Paper "Better governance for Wales" Cm 6582. Officials from the Department are in discussion with their counterparts within the National Assembly for Wales on the issues concerned.

Air Traffic

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) percentage and (b) numerical change there has been in night flights at Heathrow Airport in each of the last five years.

Karen Buck: The present night restrictions regime at Heathrow refers to both a night period, 2300–0700 hours, and a night quota period 2330–0600. In the night quota period movements by all types of aircraft, except the very quietest, are restricted by a movements limit and a noise quota, which are set for each season. At Heathrow, the movements limit for each summer season from 2000–04 was 3,250 and for winter 2001–02 to 2004–05 was 2,550. The airport operator may carry over a limited number of movements from one season to the next depending on usage from the previous season.
	The number of movements that counted against the limit, and those by the quietest exempt types, and the percentage change are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Night restrictions season(5508100029) Movements against limit Exempt types Percentage change in movements against limit compared with previous corresponding season 
		
		
			 Summer 2000 3,028 207 — 
			 Winter 2000–01 2,615 93 — 
			 Summer 2001 2,939 94 -2.9 
			 Winter 2001–02 2,684 80 +2.6 
			 Summer 2002 2,937 141 +0.1 
			 Winter 2002–03 2,620 96 -2.4 
			 Summer 2003 2,899 113 -1.3 
			 Winter 2003–04 2,683 76 +2.4 
			 Summer 2004 2,993 105 +3.2 
			 Winter 2004–05 2,591 70 -3.4 
			 Summer 2000—summer 2004 — — -1.2 
			 Winter 2000–01—winter 2004–05 — — -0.9 
		
	
	(5508100029) The seasons change with the clocks.
	Information on night movements given dispensations from the restrictions (i.e. additional to those detailed above) was provided on 11 July 2005, Official Report, column 672W.

Departmental Expenditure

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total spending by his Department on (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) procurement in the (i) Moray constituency and (ii) Highland region was for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Karen Buck: The total spend by the Department in 2004–05 was £546,600. A detailed analysis is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Name of agency Moray Highland region 
		
		
			 Maritime and Coastguard Nil (a) Staff—£88,000 
			  (b) Accommodation—£12,000 
			  (c) Procurement—£1,000 
			
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency(5508100030) (a) Staff—£169,800 
			  (b) Accommodation—£10,900 
			  (c) Procurement—£20,700 
			
			 DVLA(5508100031) (a) Staff—£183,500 
			  (b) Accommodation—£39,300 
			  (c) Procurement—£21.400 
		
	
	(5508100030) VOSA's figures cover the cost of testing activity in the areas/constituencies listed. Much of VOSA's enforcement activity is mobile. The Enforcement Area Northern Scotland cannot be broken down to reflect costs of enforcement in the actual areas/constituencies concerned. The figures for this area are:
	(a) Staff—£601,600
	(b) Accommodation—£3,200
	(c) Procurement—£125,900
	Expenditure on costs which are financed centrally (major works, testing equipment, vehicles, electricity and workwear) are not included in VOSA's figures as they could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	(5508100031) The Inverness DVLA Local Office includes the Moray and Highland Region in its catchment area.
	Information on regional distribution of staff at 1 April 2004 is available in the Libraries of both Houses, and also at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management information/ statistical information/statistics/contents for civil service statistics 2004 report/index.asp
	Table D shows the numbers of staff by regional distribution.
	Figures relating to 1 April 2005 will be published next year.

Departmental Expenditure

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total spending by his Department on (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) procurement in (i) Dundee, East constituency, (ii) Tayside and (iii) the City of Dundee was for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Karen Buck: The total spend by the Department in 2004–05 was £364,200. A detailed analysis is shown in the following table.
	
		£
		
			 Name of agency Dundee, East Tayside City of Dundee 
		
		
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency(5508100032) 0 0 0 
			 DVLA(5508100033) (a) Staff—281,000 
			  (b) Accommodation—57,400 
			  (c) Procurement—25,800 
		
	
	(5508100032) Much of VOSA's enforcement activity is mobile. The Enforcement Area Northern Scotland cannot be broken down to reflect costs of enforcement in the actual areas/constituencies concerned. The figures for this area are:
	(a) Staff £601,600
	(b) Accommodation £3,200
	(c) Procurement £125,900
	Expenditure on costs which are financed centrally (major works, testing equipment, vehicles, electricity and work wear) are not included in VOSA's figures as they could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	(5508100033) The Dundee DVLA Local Office includes Dundee, Tayside, Perth and North Perthshire in its catchment area. It is not therefore possible to provide separate costs.
	Information on regional distribution of staff at 1 April 2004 is available in the Libraries of both Houses, and also at, http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_ information/statistical_information/statistics/contents for civil service_statistics 2004_report/index.asp.
	Table D shows the numbers of staff by regional distribution.
	Figures relating to 1 April 2005 will be published next year.

Departmental Expenditure

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total spending by his Department on (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) procurement in (i) Banff and Buchan and (ii) the North East of Scotland was for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Karen Buck: The total spend by the Department in 2004–05 was £3.3 million. A detailed analysis is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Name of Agency Banff and Buchan North-East Scotland 
		
		
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency(5508100034) (a) Staff—£256,800 Nil 
			  (b) Accommodation—£9,800  
			  (c) Procurement—£21,200  
			
			 DVLA(5508100035) (a) Staff—£304,8 
			  (b) Accommodation—£74,3 
			  (c) Procurement—£25,3 
			
			 Maritime and Coastguard(5508100036) (a) Staff—£58,000 (a) Staff—£2.1 million 
			  (b) Accommodation—£9,000 (b) Accommodation—£355,000 
			  (c) Procurement—£1,000 (c) Procurement—£40,000 
		
	
	(5508100034) VOSA's figures cover the cost of testing activity in the areas/constituencies listed. Much of VOSA's enforcement activity is mobile. The Enforcement Area Northern Scotland cannot be broken down to reflect costs of enforcement in the actual areas/constituencies concerned. The figures for this area are:
	(a) Staff—£601,600
	(b) Accommodation—£3,200
	(c) Procurement—£125,9000
	Expenditure on costs which are financed centrally (major works, testing equipment, vehicles, electricity and workwear) are not included in VOSA's figures as they could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	(5508100035) Banff and Buchan and the North East of Scotland are covered by the Aberdeen DVLA Local Office.
	(5508100036) The figure for the North East of Scotland is significantly higher than the others provided by MCA because this area contains a regional office, marine office and coastguard station.
	Information on regional distribution of staff at 1 April 2004 is available in the Libraries of both Houses, and also at, http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management information/statisticalinformation/statistics/contents for civil service statistics 2004 re port/index.asp
	Table D shows the numbers of staff by regional distribution.
	Figures relating to 1 April 2005 will be published next year.

Departmental Expenditure

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total spending by his Department on (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) procurement in Perth and North Perthshire was for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Karen Buck: The total spend by the Department in 2004–05 was £631,3000. A detailed analysis is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Name of Agency Perth North Perthshire 
		
		
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency(5508100037) (a) Staff—£167,400 
			  (b) Accommodation—£11,500 
			  (c) Procurement—£14,200 
			
			 DVLA(5508100038) (a) Staff—£281,000 
			  (b) Accommodation—£57,400 
			  (c) Procurement £25,800 
			   
			 Driving Standards Agency(5508100039) (a) Staff—£59,100 
			  (b) Accommodation—£11,100 
			  (c) Procurement—£3,800 
		
	
	(5508100037) VOSA's figures cover the cost of testing activity in the areas/constituencies listed. Much of VOSA's enforcement activity is mobile. The Enforcement Area Northern Scotland cannot be broken down to reflect costs of enforcement in the actual areas/constituencies concerned. The figures for this area are:
	(a) Staff—£601,600
	(b) Accommodation—£3,200
	(c) Procurement £125,900
	Expenditure on costs which are financed centrally (major works, testing equipment, vehicles, electricity and workwear) are not included in VOSA's figures as they could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	(5508100038) The Dundee DVLA Local Office includes Dundee, Tayside, Perth and North Perthshire in its catchment area.
	(5508100039) DSA's figures cover three offices (Perth, Perth LGV and Crieff).
	Information on regional distribution of staff at 1 April 2004 is available in the Libraries of both Houses, and also at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/manaqement information/ statistical information/statistics/contents for civil service statistics 2004 report/index.asp
	Table D shows the numbers of staff by regional distribution.
	Figures relating to 1 April 2005 will be published next year.

Trunk Roads (Essex/Hertfordshire)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the major trunk roads in (a) Essex and (b) Hertfordshire; what new trunk roads are planned in each county in each of the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Trunk roads in Essex and Hertfordshire are as follows:
	(a) Essex
	M11 J4–9
	M25 Herts/Essex border to J31
	A12: M25/J28 to Essex/Suffolk border
	A13/A1089: A1306 Junction to Dock gate at Tilbury
	A120:M11 J8 to A12 J25
	A120: A12 J28 (Crown Interchange) to Harwich
	(b) Hertfordshire
	M1:J4-J10
	M10:M1J7 to St.Albans
	M25: J16-Herts/Essex border
	A1(M): J1-J10
	A5: M1J9-Bedfordshire border
	A10: M25 J25—Herts/Cambs border
	No new trunk roads are planned for Essex and/or Hertfordshire.
	The Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements includes the following trunk road schemes in Essex and Hertfordshire:
	M1: J6a to 10 widening to dual 4 lane motorway
	M25: J16–31 widening to dual 4 lane motorway
	M25: J28/Brook Street Interchange.
	The Highways Agency has also been asked to do further work on the following scheme in Essex and bring forward proposals to be considered for entry into the Targeted Programme of Improvements:
	M11: J8–9 widening to dual 3 lane motorway.
	Following the Government's announcement on 21 July 2005 on Regional Funding Allocations, decisions on the entry of the following trunk road schemes into the Targeted Programme of Improvements will be made following advice from the region on their priorities for major transport schemes:
	A12: M25 to Chelmsford widening
	A12: Chelmsford to Colchester widening
	A120: Braintree to Marks Tey dualling.